Revoke/Vary Conditions

Report on revocation and variation of conditions on registration of Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd

On 7 May 2015 TEQSA made a decision, under subsection 32(3) of the TEQSA Act, to revoke four (4) conditions imposed on the registration of Victorian Institute of Technology. The conditions are: Condition 1, 7, 9 and 11 (refer public report of 22 October 2014).

On 7 May 2015 TEQSA made a decision, under subsection 32(3) of the TEQSA Act, to vary two (2) conditions imposed on the registration of Victorian Institute of Technology. The conditions are: Condition 4 and Condition 6 (refer public report of 22 October 2014).

On 20 May 2015 a delegate of TEQSA made a decision, under subsection 32(2) of the TEQSA Act, to vary one (1) condition imposed on the registration of Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd. The condition is condition number 4 (refer public report of 22 October 2014).

A copy of the seven (7) conditions that remain in force is available at Attachment 1.

Main Reasons for Decision

The decision to revoke the four conditions was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the conditions had been met.

The decision to vary the two conditions was made on the basis that after consideration of the provider's response there remained a number of risks related to VIT's capacity to meet the Threshold Standards in the future relevant to the two conditions. On this basis, TEQSA considered that it was appropriate to vary the original condition.

Attachment 1

Conditions imposed on the registration of Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (VIT):

Condition 2

2) By 15 August 2015 and every 12 months thereafter, VIT must provide TEQSA with its most up to date interim management reports/accounts including, but not limited to, a detailed Income Statement, standard Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement for the current reporting year. This report must include the latest detailed Year-To Date actual performance (e.g. revenue and expenses, operating cash flow) compared to Year-To-Date budget. The budget must include all supporting assumptions (e.g. student numbers, fees, staff numbers/costs, overheads, other key revenue and cost items). This requirement is in addition to the annual reporting requirements in Section 27 of the TEQSA Act.

Condition 3

3) By 31 December 2015 the Institute Council must provide minutes of its meetings for the preceding 12 months to TEQSA which show:

a) that it maintains oversight of its financial position and financial performance;

b) that it monitors potential risks to its operations and has strategies to mitigate risks that may eventuate;

c) that it protects and maintains academic integrity and quality;

d) that it has effective development, approval, implementation and review of all policies; and

e) the nature of its considerations in relation to any of its policies or procedures, including any recommendations and changes to those policies and procedures.

Condition 4

4) By 30 June 2015, VIT must:

a) Provide TEQSA with a revised Student Academic Misconduct policy that provides for advocacy support consistent with the requirements of PRS 6.6. The policy must include a process whereby a student can make representations in response to alleged academic misconduct prior to a decision on a penalty

b) Provide TEQSA with clear information on the student advocacy arrangements of VIT including advocacy in relation to academic misconduct matters and how students can access advocacy support, and

c) Provide TEQSA with evidence that information on student advocacy support has been provided to all higher education students along with the revised Student Academic Misconduct policy.

Condition 5

5) By 31 December 2015, VIT must provide TEQSA with evidence of its benchmarking agreements and by 31 December 2017, VIT must provide TEQSA with a report that provides evidence of the activities implemented under those agreements.

Condition 6

6) By 31 December 2015, VIT must provide TEQSA with evidence of how it has developed its current operations to address the academic learning needs of higher education students consistent with its Teaching and Learning Plan (Higher Education) 2014-2018. This evidence must be presented as a report of progress against the teaching and learning plan objectives, with evidence of consideration by the academic governing body.

Condition 8

8) By 31 December 2015, VIT must review its Teach Out Plan and develop either a formalised teach out and transition agreement with another registered higher education provider or a detailed implementation plan to support its Teach Out Plan. VIT must provide the formalised agreement or the implementation plan to TEQSA within one week of the document being agreed or finalised.

Condition 10

10) By 31 March 2016, VIT must provide TEQSA with a report on the analysis of and its actions taken in response to the data collected and/or reviews undertaken for the first full year of delivery of its higher education course. The report should encompass the data sources, specified as paragraphs a-i of Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd's Continuous Improvement of the Higher Education Program(s) Policy, in its activities.

Conditions on Registration

Report on revocation and variation of conditions on registration of International College of Management Sydney Pty Ltd (ICMS)

On 2 December 2016 TEQSA, under Section 32(3) of the TEQSA Act, revoked conditions 1, 3, 4 and 5 and varied condition 2 imposed on the registration of the International College of Management Sydney Pty Ltd (ICMS) (refer public report of 29 October 2015).

Condition 1 (revoked):

Within three months of being notified of this decision, ICMS is to formulate a revised Academic Board Charter. The revised Charter will prescribe:

a) the circumstances in which the Academic Board Chair may act on behalf of the Academic Board between meetings of the Board;

b) actions to be taken in the event that a quorum is not attained at any Academic Board meeting;

c) the process to be followed in the event that a member of the Academic Board does not, or is not able to attend an Academic Board meeting. ICMS must provide TEQSA a copy of the revised Charter within 14 days of the ICMS Governing Body approving the Charter.

The decision to revoke condition 1 was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the condition had been met.

Condition 2 (varied):

ICMS is required to:

A. provide TEQSA, within three months of the date of notification of this decision, with a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition, progression and minimum time completion rates and failure rates, for each accredited higher education course it offers and each year, for the period 2011 to 2014 inclusive. The analysis must include accurate data on student attrition, completion, progression and grade distribution and include analysis by:

1. entry path (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway);
2. credit awarded (comparing students admitted with no credit awarded with students admitted with credit for up to a third of the course and between a third and two thirds of the course);
3. study mode (comparing students who take less than a full-time study load, exactly a full-time study load and greater than a full-time study load, where full-time study load is equal to 36 ICMS credit points in a calendar year);
4. place of study;
5. whether students are domestic or international students;
6. referral to and uptake of student support (including participation in formal study support programs); and
7. student achievement in similar courses at other higher education providers.

B. develop and provide to TEQSA by 1 May 2016, a detailed strategy, having regard to the comprehensive diagnostic analysis required under (A) above, which:

1. includes specific targets for improvement of student attrition, completion and progression rates and failure rates for each course and each year over the forward registration period; and
2. gives consideration to admission practices and standards, study load of students, the identification of students at risk of not progressing academically and the adequacy and effectiveness of student support.

C. revise the targets determined in accordance with (B) above if and as directed by TEQSA.

D. demonstrate improvement, with reference to the targets to be established under (B) and (C), overall and for each course of study, through annually reporting to TEQSA on these rates by 1 July each year (for the rates in the previous calendar year) throughout the period of registration, with these reports to commence on 1 July 2016.

Condition 2 (amended to):

ICMS is required to demonstrate improvement, with reference to the targets that have been established under previous Registration Conditions 2(B) and 2(C), overall and for each course of study, through annually reporting to TEQSA on these rates by 1 July each year (for the rates in the previous calendar year) throughout the period of registration, with these reports to commence on 1 July 2016.

The decision to vary condition 2 was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the condition 2 parts 2A, 2B and 2C had been met.

Condition 3 (revoked):

Within three months of notification of this decision ICMS must provide TEQSA with:

A. details of how the policies which ensure staff are appropriately qualified and experienced to teach the course of study have been applied to each member of staff teaching the courses, including:

1. ICMS's assessment of whether each staff member without a qualification at least one AQF level above the course taught has professional experience which gives the staff member the knowledge, skills and capacity to apply knowledge and skills equivalent to a qualification at least one AQF level above the course taught, and
2. the support ICMS will provide to each staff member without a qualification at least one AQF level above the course taught to undertake further study or professional development and scholarship in the discipline they teach.

B. a workforce plan for the next three years. The plan will detail ICMS approach and rationale for the employment of casual staff and will also detail how ICMS ensures that it continues to maintain appropriate human resources to support student learning outcomes. The plan will identify how ICMS will mitigate the risk of casual or sessional staff not being appropriately supported and resourced to provide a continuity of support for students, anchor academic activities, engage in scholarly activities and be active contributing members in a community of scholarship.

The decision to revoke condition 3 was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the condition had been met.

Condition 4 (revoked):

ICMS is to review its policy on external moderation and the extent to which it has complied with this policy. Within three months of notification of this decision ICMS must provide TEQSA with a copy of the review which is to include findings of the review and an implementation plan, which includes key dates and outcomes of any required changes to the current policy.

The decision to revoke condition 4 was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the condition had been met.

Condition 5 (revoked):

ICMS must provide TEQSA by 30 June 2016, evidence that demonstrates ICMS benchmarks the academic standards intended to be achieved by students and the standards actually achieved by students in each of the courses of study offered by ICMS against similar accredited courses of study offered by other higher education providers. This evidence is to include details of the courses and institutions selected for comparison and examples of action taken as a result of analysis of the data.

The decision to revoke condition 5 was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the condition had been met.

Renewal of registration

Report on revocation of Condition One on Renewal of Registration of UOWC Ltd

On 27 October 2016 TEQSA revoked, under Section 32(2) of the TEQSA Act, Condition 1 imposed on the registration of UOWC Ltd (refer public report of 7 July 2016). The decision to revoke the conditions was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that Condition One had been met.

Initial of registration

Report on revocation of condition(s) of registration of Proteus Technologies Pty Ltd

On 20 August 2016 TEQSA revoked, under subsection 32(2) of the TEQSA Act, the conditions imposed on the registration of Proteus Technologies Pty Ltd (refer public report of 27 April 2016). The decision to revoke the conditions was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the conditions had been met.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Alphacrucis College Pty Ltd

A delegate of TEQSA has accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the following higher education courses of study offered by Alphacrucis College Pty Ltd for a period of seven years until 27 July 2022:

• Diploma of Arts
• Bachelor of Education (Primary) and
• Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has determined that the three higher education courses of study submitted by Alphacrucis College Pty Ltd for accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards and arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Alphacrucis College Limited

TEQSA has determined, under Section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to renew accreditation of the following higher education course of study offered by Alphacrucis College Limited for a period of seven years until 8 August 2020:

• Bachelor of Ministry (formerly Bachelor of Contemporary Ministry)

Background to Decision

Alphacrucis College Limited submitted an application for renewal of accreditation of one course of study under Part 4 of the TEQSA Act. Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 56(4) enables TEQSA to renew accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA has determined that the higher education course of study submitted by Alphacrucis College Limited for accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of five higher education courses of study offered by Alphacrucis College Limited

TEQSA has determined, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to grant accreditation of the following higher education courses of study offered by Alphacrucis College Limited for a period of seven years until 8 August 2020:

• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Ministry
• Bachelor of Theology
• Master of Theology
• Associate Degree in Ministry

Background to Decision

Alphacrucis College Limited submitted an application for accreditation of five courses of study under Part 4 of the TEQSA Act. Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 49(6) enables TEQSA to grant accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA has determined that the five higher education courses of study submitted by Alphacrucis College Limited for accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of one higher education course of study in teach out mode offered by Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd

TEQSA has determined, under Section 56 of the TEQSA Act, to renew accreditation of the following higher education course of study in teach out mode offered by Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd until 31 May 2014:

• Graduate Certificate in Counselling Skills

Background to Decision

Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd submitted an application for renewal of accreditation of one course of study in teach out mode under Part 4 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 ('the TEQSA Act'). The purpose of this decision is to facilitate the completion of studies by students enrolled in the course or the transition of students into other equivalent courses offered by the provider or other higher education providers. This also means that no further enrolments are permitted into these courses. Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 56(4) enables TEQSA to renew accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA has determined that the higher education course of study submitted by Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd for accreditation complies with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

Withdrawal of registration

Report on withdrawal of registration of Tabor College Tasmania Inc.

Tabor College Tasmania Inc. has applied to TEQSA to withdraw its registration as a higher education provider, under Section 43 of the TEQSA Act.

TEQSA has approved this withdrawal, effective from 29 August 2016.

Main reasons for the decision

The withdrawal of registration has occurred because Tabor College Tasmania has merged with Alphacrucis College Limited. Tabor College Tasmania and Alphacrucis College have jointly worked to transition students in Tabor College Tasmania courses, and TEQSA is satisfied that these arrangements are appropriate and do not disadvantage students.